A travel ban is in effect for New York City as a major snowstorm, potentially the worst in nearly a decade, continues to impact the US Northeast. The ban, issued by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, restricts travel to essential vehicles only on roads and bridges throughout the five boroughs from 9:00 PM Sunday local time through 12:00 PM Monday.
Approximately 40 million people are under blizzard warnings, encompassing New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Long Island. An additional 19 million face winter storm warnings as the storm, a nor’easter, intensifies. States of emergency have been declared in New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with the National Weather Service forecasting up to 24 inches of snow in some areas.
As of midnight GMT on Monday, significant snowfall had already accumulated across the Northeast, with 10 inches reported in parts of New York and New Jersey. All schools in New York City are closed Monday.
The storm is disrupting transportation networks. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, and officials are warning against all non-essential travel. The Acela train, which serves the Northeast corridor from Boston to Washington D.C., continues to operate, offering downtown-to-downtown service, but passengers should anticipate potential delays.
The developing nor’easter is impacting a wide geographic area. Winter Storm Watches are in effect for New York City, Long Island, parts of New Jersey, including the Jersey Shore, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, including Cape Cod. Parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut are also under Winter Weather Advisories, with a Coastal Flood Watch issued for Boston.
Forecasters predict snow totals of 8-12 inches for New York City and Philadelphia, while Boston is bracing for 12-18 inches of snow through Monday. The peak of the snow potential is expected Sunday night into Monday morning.
